Igrot Kodesh · Letter 5754 — Tzedakah

B"H

19 Elul 5717

Brooklyn

Greetings and blessings,

I duly received your letter of 15 Elul, in which you briefly establish a moral accounting, or, in your term, an "inventory" (note: the word "inventory" appears in English in the original, the rest of the letter being in Yiddish), as was discussed at the Chassidic farbrengen* of 18 Elul, based on the words of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, who explained that from this date onward, each day is devoted to the accounting of one month of the year (note: since twelve days remain until Rosh Hashanah*, corresponding to the twelve months). Nevertheless, you know the fundamental principle of Chassidus*, which is also a law of the Torah*, that the service of Hashem must be joyful and enthusiastic. Now, the moral accounting is itself an act of the service of Hashem. It is therefore necessary that it, too, be joyful and enthusiastic. Above all, my father-in-law, the Rebbe, states, in the name of his father, the Rebbe (note: the Rebbe Rashab*), the criterion for determining the origin of a feeling, as reported in Hayom Yom*, under the date of 23 Sivan (note: does it have the effect of increasing or decreasing one's acts of service of Hashem?).

More specifically, regarding several ideas in your letter, I enclose the Kovetz Lubavitch*. In most of its fine explanations, you will find answers. Above all, you will realize that every element, every thought, which obstructs concrete action, does not emanate from the side of good.

On the occasion of the new year, which approaches for us and for all of Israel, for good and for blessing, I hereby send you and all your family my blessing to be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year, materially and spiritually.

With my blessing of true abundance and success in all that concerns you,